RJGodin2 Reviews

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

meh - salacious and vapid

[4/10 · 25 February 2013]

Not having read the book or seen the Swedish version, I watched this movie on it's own terms. It was a decent mystery story but many gratuitous scenes - primarily for shock value?

The finale was extremely contrived - to the point of breaking. Why would the investigator be so bumbling to get discovered - then go back into the house? How did Lisabeth get into the dungeon to save the day? The double doors and key card access were explicitly pointed out.

After that, all the exotica about the disguise and bank transfers and then school girl disappointment dragged on and on. Apparently there will be a sequel.

The idea that the missing girl moved to London and grew up and became a successful banking professional - under an assumed name - BUT still part of the family?? Implausible, confusing and ultimately a transparently simple plot solution.

one other continuity thing I noticed, when the taxi drops Craig off at the guest house, the snow behind it does not show tire tracks meaning the taxi backed up the long, curving drive? maybe that's how they roll in Sweden.

The Descendants (2011)

disappointing

[3/10 · 7 January 2012]

This movie was characterized as a "comedy" but there was very little funny or even amusing about it. Even the minor comic relief of the Surfer Sid character is undermined by a late late tete-a-tete that reveals he has tragedy in is recent family history as well.

There is very little to establish a real connection with any of the characters. As the rich real estate lawyer, Clooney gets plenty of screen time in close up emoting mode. Sure, he is in a terrible, tragic point in his life. But so what? What makes me connect? All the other characters seem to be props or foils for the lawyer King's reaction shots.

The location is beautiful but ultimately becomes a travelogue background. For example, why go to the Big Island? I guess to show the white rock graffiti on the basalt fields.

Same with Kauai. Besides using the Hanalei beach house for background and the sweeping view of the valley, not much value in moving the story forward.

With no establishment of the marriage conditions pre-accident, King comes across as a totally engaged, totally bereaved husband and father. Where is the tension?

Bachelor in Paradise (1961)

Most interesting for the locations, sets, props

[3/10 · 18 September 2010]

This light comedy is all formula - see other reviews for the general plot. The most interesting aspects of it now are the locations, sets, props and general early 60's culture - lonely suburban housewives, swinging but somehow buttoned down bachelor, etc. Everyone drinking hard - built in bars, tiki lounge cocktails, gibsons, etc.

The cars, in particular, are great. Check out the hair styles! Lana Turner has a helmet of blond surf. Hope's hair is like a raked zen garden.

Hope reportedly was quite a swordsman in his day, and he tries hard to be a rake in this farce, but his sarcastic "jokes" are real duds and he clearly was too old for the emerging "cool".

He also made a fortune in LA real estate putting up subdivisions like "Paradise Village". I wonder if these locations were shot on his development - more cash to Bob.

Avatar (2009)

spectacular but mediocre

[7/10 · 23 December 2009]

The visual effects are impressive and ground breaking, but the story is ho hum. Scout goes native after immersion in their ways - leading to the ultimate conflict of loyalties and rebellion from father figure. Etc.

Also, the big, "I Luv You This Much" eyes of the Nav'i, oi.

But overall, as with previous Cameron outings starting with Terminator, the details are very well coordinated and plausible. The low gravity and the magnetic flux fields etc. explain/account for a lot of weirdness (giant size creatures, floating rocks, etc.).

The only disconnect is at the end - no explanation of why kicking the current crop of humans off the planet would avoid their return in force. If the Unobtainium was so precious/vital/rare, then one would expect it would not be given up that easy. Some kind of explanation of a negotiated agreement would have been good.

Sequel opening, mayhaps? Nav'i learn human technology just in time to repel return attack? As with all technical advances, this virtual world technology will need a much stronger story to really show it's power.

Event Horizon (1997)

confused rehash of Solaris ideas

[3/10 · 31 July 2009]

Event Horizon is a horror exploitation of the concepts presented in Solaris. It takes horror cues from Alien and Don't Look Now and mashes them with Solaris and 2001 to make an ultimately unsatisfying film.

It takes off from some real physics concepts (e.g. folding space) which were also already used in Dune and then amps up the gore. Many aspects of the story don't get fully developed and are left hanging.

The set is elaborate and the computer effects extensive. It shows that much more time, money and effort were put into the stage craft than the story and character. Never a good ratio for movie making. It makes you wonder what the original script might have looked like.

A rather derivative, disappointment.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

strong out of the gate, fades at finish

[7/10 · 13 May 2008]

Like many movies, TWBB develops a very complex and detailed character story over the first three quarters of the run time, but seems to suddenly realize that the end is near and wraps things up too hastily.

The story is an examination of the capitalistic competition of the America experience. The embodiment of this is Daniel Plainview, who by his own admission is consumed by competition to the point that he sees every other person as an enemy. He has essentially no empathy with any other person. All his relationships are subordinate to his competitive drive for oil, money, power.

This is revealed directly in a moment of drunken weakness when he confides in his impostor brother that he "can't do it alone anymore".

The inner conflict and pain his dog-eat-dog ethos is presented in the glimmers of feelings with the adopted son HW. The moments around the campfire, riding the train etc. show the potential for emotional connection. However, this is damaged when the well blow out makes Planview chose between HWs well being and the biggest strike of his life. Naturally, he chooses the material over the emotional.

The pain of this decision haunts him ever after. In his subjugation at the evangelist meeting through to his flashback to happier times after he has his final break with HW.

What is missing in the finish is a more complete de-volution of the Plainview/HW relationship between HW return from deaf school until the showdown at the mansion. Clearly, a lot of bad water has passed under the bridge by the time HW asks to be allowed to forge his own way in Mexico.

All in all a very solid picture. For any father, the tenderness and tension in the relationship between Plainview and HW is certain to leave a strong impression. While the moment of decision may not be a dramatic as an oil well blow out, the fear of deciding between family or career casts a dark cloud of uncertainty over many fathers.

As far as Day Lewis performance goes, a very outstanding effort even though it seems to be a re-cycle of Bill the Butcher in many respects. Let's hope Mr. Day-Lewis' next project provides a big change of pace - maybe more heroic in the My Left Foot or Last of Mohicans vein or even a romantic comedy?

Blood Simple (1984)

Outstanding pace, mise en scene, characters

[9/10 · 25 November 2007]

This noir is excellently crafted with bad things happening to bad people while the innocent stand baffled by the goings on. It turns on the various incomplete viewpoints of three men of action assuming the wrong things with disastrous results.

The use of the Javanese monkey chant in the soundtrack as Abby falls backward and lands on her bed is fantastic and just one example of the craftmanship of this movie. Every shot is well thought out and keeps the story moving forward.

The tension and desperation of the jealous husband, the macho lusting of dim witted lover and cold blooded shamus create a triangle of death that spirals to an inevitable conclusion.

The pacing, the fully nuanced characters, the soundtrack, the dialog all work together in synchromesh.

This movie can be seen again and again. And should be.

Grindhouse (2007)

lose a couple more reels

[3/10 · 20 November 2007]

interesting concept, some nice art direction but way, way too long. when the Machete 'trailer' is one of the highlights, you should know there are some serious issues with the film.

Too much dialog exposition glitzed up with saturated color and ersatz cheezy production effects gets to be a drag after a while (and this movie takes several whiles to run). In particular, the 'Death Proof' segment drones on and on so long that it feels like you need to pound some of that Chartreuse too.

If this was cut down to something like 100 minutes instead of 190, it would be a lot more entertaining. Someone needs to tell these guys that less is more and not every 'outrageous' thing is necessarily needed to outrage.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

very good but too long

[6/10 · 20 November 2007]

The Coens craft another excellent study in the randomness and ruthlessness of crime but this time they should have used a little more knife.

The entire section involving 'Carson Wells' could be cut with no significant impact to the movie. This would take the run time down to somewhere around a tight 90 minutes and greatly improve the overall effect.

Also, the lack of closure while daring does not produce a good ending. Unlike 'Blood Simple' or 'Fargo' where bad things happen to bad people, 'No Country' just ends with characters going on (or not).

Two Days in Paris (2007)

modest in all respects

[4/10 · 7 October 2007]

modest is the word for this amusing semi-profound outing. Ms. Delpy certainly has been paying attention during her stints with Linklater and Jarmusch. 2 Days in Paris aspires to some of the transendentalism of these directors and doesn't embarrass herself in trying.

More practice, more editing, more angle will serve her well in the future.

The use of multiple taxi drivers was nicely done. The return of the tourists was unnecessary. The insightful fairy was OK.

While not quite in the league of Broken Flowers or Waking Life, this film is a modest approximation of the Befores. Hopefully, Delpy will be able to continue maturing into her own style.

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

viewed again with completely different end

[9/10 · 23 September 2007]

I have seen Last Tango several times at different points in my life beginning as a under age sneak in at the old Temple Theater. Then at a Film Co-op screening in college. Once more at the Thalia Theater in NYC. Finally, last night on demand cable.

The sexual power of the scenario gripped my young imagination, while later the alienated isolation of Paul and Jeanne resonated as my experience grew. Both these feelings still were there, but this time I perceived something different altogether.

Where I had always saw Jeanne's final monologue of denial as a rehearsal for an inquest, now it seemed like an honest bewilderment. A true reaction to a random assault by a stranger that made me think that maybe the entire affair in the apartment was only a fantasy in Paul's grief addled mind.

In the beginning of the film, Paul is walking, alone and distraught when Jeanne passes him by. Then he sneaks into a vacant apartment to hide. Does he imagine Jeanne comes to him and submits to intense casual sex? Is their interlude real or a product of Paul's desperate middle aged angst? In the finale, Jeanne is again walking under the metro tracks and Paul now pursues her. She runs home and he breaks in. The End? One of the most outstanding films ever, Last Tango deals with the mysteries of love, sex, death, age, communication and dissipation at a level rarely attempted.

Brando admitted that after Tango, he never wanted to try that again. A tour de force in every gut wrenching sense.

Broken Flowers (2005)

excellent, outstanding refinement of Jarmusch style

[9/10 · 3 July 2007]

This is easily the most complete realization of Jarmusch technique of sequencing set-ups to move the story. Murray's dead pan reaction approach fits perfectly to the story.

The scene of Don Johnston sitting alone in his house, with nothing to move him in any direction including to pick up the glass of champagne on the table is the best depiction of mid-life crisis even put on the screen. It also is the springboard for Don's road trip of action and discovery.

Worth seeing more than once, although the guys may appreciate the story line more than the gals. The sound track is equally great.

Children of Men (2006)

more British apocalypse

[4/10 · 28 March 2007]

Much like V for Vendetta, the future in England (and the world) is a grim violent place where rich paw their choices whilst the everyone else scratches out existence under the thumb of the military police.

In this case, duress is compounded by pending human extinction since there has been no baby born on earth for 18 years.

The premise is good, the action is good, but the plot meanders and characters act more for dramatic scenes than out of any real motivation.

Hard to get engaged with anyone in this circus maximus and as a result, just a lot of apocalyptic eye candy where the MacGuffin is a baby.

Femme Fatale (2002)

pee yoo

[20 May 2003]

Has DePalma ever made a good movie? I've seem most them and the best he can muster is decent (Untouchables). This outing is particularly weak. The acting is mainly wooden. The main impression is jiggly eye candy.

Story is cartoonish, events are predictable and the plot is outlandish. The trite "all a dream" turnaround originated in Caligari can be very effective but here seems very hack and apparently an excuse to reuse set ups and footage.

The Paris locations don't evoke any of the city's visual delight, unless your idea of delight is the CDG Sheraton and one catherdal/church plaza.

I baffles me why people use Hitchcock's name when talking about DePalma. The gap between their skill and execution is so vast it borders on parody at best.

Don't bother.

Blood Work (2002)

weak but entertaining

[5/10 · 27 February 2003]

Fairly straight psycho killer doppleganger yarn from Clint. Excessively obvious who the killer is early on. Paul Roderigez has nice small part as homicide detective. Angelica Huston is good in what is essentially a cameo as cardiologist.

Good pacing, good production, decent scenario keep this from falling totally flat. Oh yes, there's Clint holding up his end (which turns out to almost the entire show).

Waking Life (2001)

very good, creative, expansion of Slackers

[8/10 · 27 February 2003]

It is rare for a director to return to a film and improve it but Linklater does it here. Taking the general form of Slackers, he adds a metaphysical story line and coats it with extraordinary eye candy.

The rotoscoping really provides an acid trip experience of constantly shifting planes with backgrounds going one way and characters going the other.

The string quartet tango score also is an excellent use of music to reinforce the exotic aspects of the production.

The monologues are thought provoking and compelling. The story line examining dream/death connection is novel. Score points for originality of story, art direction and narrative line. Some quite funny parts (e.g. boat car, bar shoot out, etc.), some creepy parts (e.g. jailbird rant, second boat man meeting, etc.).

I have seen this several times and enjoyed it every time. Farily rare is the movie that can really stand up to multiple viewings. This is one.

Very refreshing. See it.